A/N: ok, so, i like my story ideas, so get over it if you dont, NO FLAMES ACCEPTED! I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN! but, if you like my ideas, then tell me sothatyou might get a spot in my will. alright, so i'm a hopeless romantic so this is gonna sound just a bit cheesey at times...

He first saw her at the Christmas ball. She was the most beautiful thing Edmund had ever seen. She had long flowing black hair and glowing, caramel colored skin. Her eyes were a soft, gentle gray and her smile seemed to brighten the room. That night, she was wearing a rich red velvet dress, trimmed with gold and ivory white sleeves. Instead of a large showy crown, she wore a humble golden circlet among her brow. There was a confusingly exquisite aura surrounding her. Yet he was the only one to sense it. He didn't even know her name. She was standing, talking to a faun and a dwarf, who both seemed completely in their minds. Edmund could hardly handle her beauty from where he sat on the dais. He couldn't take his eyes away from her.

"Edmund," Peter said, startling him. "Why don't you walk around a bit and socialize? Who are you staring at?"

"Oh, er, no one in particular," he answered, quickly standing and turning his head.

"Come off it, Ed. Who?"

"Do you see that woman over there? The one in the red dress?"

Peter grinned. "I see her."

"What's her name?"

"Well, I'm not sure. Why don't you go ask?"

"I think I will," he stood and looked back at her again. "Maybe after I have another glass of wine."

"Go ahead, it should jolly well help you loosen up a bit," he slapped him on the back and with a 'good-luck' wink, walked off.

Edmund proceeded to a table laden with crystal goblets filled with deep red wine, greeting Dryads, fauns, Naiads, and the Giant Rumblebuffin on his way. He looked again to the lady. She was ravishingly beautiful. What would—just then, she looked up at him. Time stood frozen for a moment and the single thing Edmund could hear was his heart beating hard against his chest. So lovely.

Forgetting about the wine, he decided to keep going to her. You have to move, nitwit, he told himself.

"When you approach her don't forget to bow," there was Peter's voice in his ear again, causing him to jump slightly. "And say 'my lady, I believe we are unacquainted'. And please, do try not to forget your name like you did with Lady Evelina."

"I hope I won't. What if I do? You know me, Peter, I have the worst time with women."

"Just relax, brother. She's only a woman."

"I think more," Edmund muttered after Peter had gone away again. He felt so young. Here he was, twenty years old and he still got giddy over girls. What was wrong with him? He mustered up every ounce of courage he could find and sauntered on over. Perfect timing, the others were just walking away. She turned her eyes on him now.

"My lady, are believe we I unacquainted." Nice, you idiot!

"Yes," she began, grinning slightly. "We unfamiliar are believe I." She had a lovely celestial voice. They stood awkwardly for a moment.

"Let me try that again," Edmund said, blushing so red that a bull from two miles off would have stormed him. "My lady, I believe we are unacquainted. I am Edmund, king of Narnia," he bowed, still feeling a bit thick. "And you are...?"

"I'm Elaina," she curtseyed with a giggle, no more like a light laugh. Giggle wouldn't do it justice. "Princess of the Dimitius Isles, and a guest in your house, sire."

"Well, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"No, the honor is all mine, I am sure." She smiled.

"So," Edmund began trying to make conversation. "Is this your first time here? At Cair Paravel, I mean."

"Yes it is. It is incredible. I have never seen anything so magnificent."

"Shall I give you the grand tour, then?" he asked, offering his arm.

"That would be nice," she responded, taking it.

He went through all the rooms, describing each tapestry, noting the handiwork on the suits of armor and thoroughly enjoying himself. Elaina seemed to be, too. She unhesitantly asked questions and looked on with the wide-eyed wonder of a child and a glittering, genuine smile. They went through the banquet hall, —where a dwarf and a badger were still snacking— up the marble staircase and out onto the terrace over-looking the sea. The moon was full and almost at her highest and shone her light on them and the shimmering ocean. It was a beautiful cloudless night; the countryside had been covered in a thick, glistening blanket of snow and the stars winked and twinkled down at them. It was chilly out and a gentle North breeze blew around them.

"And now, I end the tour with the Narnian sky and the sea. Thank you for stopping by and have a lovely evening," he said, letting go her arm and leaning on the stone banister.

"Well, thank you very much for an enchanted evening. I say, it was much better than talking to that stuck-up dwarf about mining," she leaned forward on the railing next to him and sighed contentedly. "I shall have to come back sometime."

"Oh, leaving so soon?"

"I'm going back in two weeks. I'm considering this my vacation."

"So, milady, what is Dimitius like?"

"Ah, yes, Dimitius. The winters are long but not too harsh. The summers are warm, but never hot. But my favorite time is Spring, when everything is new and the trees begin blooming again. The Dryads send me their best blooms on the first day of April. It's lush and green and so full of life, somewhat like Narnia, only smaller. If you should ever like to visit, my home is always open to you."

"I believe I should like that very much, by your bidding of course."

"That would be nice. So what about you?"

"What about me?" Edmund asked with a chuckle and a grin.

"Who is King Edmund of Narnia?"

"Well, I was thinking of telling you that maybe Saturday morning at brunch?" He replied, straightening.

"I could never pass up such an offer." She smiled and stood. She looked up at the moon and gasped. "Oh, look! It's midnight. Thank you very much, Your Highness." She curtseyed. There was a roar from within when all shouted "Merry Christmas" as we do now when we say "Happy New Year".

"No, thank you my lady," he bowed, took her hand, and kissed it. "And please, call me Edmund."

"In that case," she said with a wry smile. "Call me Elaina."

"Merry Christmas, Elaina."

"Merry Christmas, Edmund."